I deserved Ballon d’Or, says Ribery

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH

London: Franck Ribery has claimed he deserved to win the Fifa Ballon d’Or ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo because the Real Madrid forward won nothing in 2013.

Ronaldo beat off competition from Bayern Munich midfielder Ribery and Lionel Messi to be crowned the world’s best player of 2013 last week. It was reward for 12 months of brilliant individual performances, but an aggrieved Ribery felt the five titles he won with his all-conquering Bayern side should have counted for more.

“I won everything, with the team and individually. Ronaldo won nothing,” the France international said in an interview with a German newspaper. “I feel I had earned this award. It’s all politics.”

Ribery helped Bayern win the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, Champions League, Uefa Super Cup and Fifa Club World Cup in 2013, while Ronaldo’s 66 goals in 56 appearances for Madrid failed to win them a single trophy.

And Ribery appeared disheartened by the whole experience. Asked about next year’s award, he said: “The Ballon d’Or doesn’t interest me any more.”

His comments come as his trial alongside fellow French international Karim Benzema on charges of soliciting an underage prostitute started on Monday. Benzema and Ribery are being tried on charges of paying Zahia Dehar, a prostitute-turned-fashion model, for sex in 2008 and 2009.